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About Us
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About Debut
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Company
Debut Group specializes in corporate business communication and events across North America. Based in Toronto and Chicago, we are comprised of three divisions: Debut Communications, Debut Medical Education and Orange Tag. Each division specializes in a specific area of business communication and we all share an expertise and vision to reinforce brands. Whether it’s a product brand, the branding of an event or communication campaign, or a brand promotion or incentive – we can help you communicate your brand message with better results.
Check out our philosophy to find out how; read about our different areas of expertise, or look around our site to see samples of our work and what some of our clients had to say about partnering with Debut Group.
The purpose of this site is to create opportunities.Give us one, and we’ll show you how to make the most of yours.
Philosophy
BRAVE IDEAS™
We believe in Brave Ideas™. It’s our guiding philosophy that challenges us to be fresh, bold and adventurous in everything we do. It ensures our clients get truly original concepts – versus overpriced and under-developed product. Brave Ideas™ reminds us to push against complacency and create strategically. Whether it’s a new opportunity or repeat business; the big idea or in the details; creatively, technologically, or in efficiency and service – it’s how we measure ourselves every time out. It’s field proven to deliver better results.
Our Brave Ideas™ philosophy was trademarked and displayed where it would remind us on a daily basis –
what we must live up to.
Put our Brave Ideas™ to work for you.
Strategy
We believe you deserve better results from your business partner. Whether reaching out to employees, customers, physicians, dealers or to any specific audience – better outcomes are achieved by capitalizing on both big and small opportunities to embed your message and reinforce your brand.
The phrase "better results" means different things to different people and businesses. What does it mean to you? Getting your message out? A better brand experience? Elevated employee performance? A better connection with customers? Or right now you may be thinking, "We’ve been getting pretty good results so far." And that may be, but if you’re brave – willing to try a different approach – you could realize even better results for you, your team and your company.
INVESTING IN RESULTS
At Debut, we believe in original thought and investing in our own exploration of new technology, processes and supplier partners in order to push the usual boundaries of what’s possible. Of course in corporate, that also means making it affordable, deliverable and on strategy. And speaking of strategy…
WE DON’T DO CREATIVE FOR CREATIVE’S SAKE
We do creative for you. Creative that fits your needs by supporting your messages, objectives and goals while staying true to your brand. In everything we do, whatever the initiative, our creative will draw you in and make you think. Our creative will get you – better results.
BETTER RESULTS
Better results are achieved by taking advantage of strategic thinking, quality creative, the right technology, exceptional service and flawless delivery – and of course the right team with the expertise to make it happen. Our people, like yours, are key to our success – and we have the best people in the industry at Debut Group.
We 'get' that every initiative is an investment in your brand and your people. Let us help you turn that investment into better results.
Clients
Debut is a proud partner with some of North America’s most innovative companies.
A selection of Debut's long-standing clientelle:
Manulife Financial
John Hancock
Nissan
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Invesco Trimark
Hoffmann-La Roche
Pepsi Beverages Company
General Electric
Pfizer
Scotiabank
Standard Life
Baxter
Dundee Wealth Management
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Debut Toronto
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DEBUT TORONTO
Toronto is where Debut Group started and we’re proud of what we’ve built. Our team is comprised of dedicated professionals who are experts in their field. It’s this expertise that enables us to continually push the boundaries of what’s done in business communication, helping companies across North America communicate more effectively and efficiently. Be sure to check out our “Brave Firsts” in our News Feed for our history of innovation.
Our integrated approach allows us to capitalize on the expertise of each division in providing complete solutions for our clients. Give us a chance to meet with you and you’ll feel the camaraderie and ingenuity of our team. We are passionate about your success – it’s a passion ingrained in every Debut employee and it comes from our founding partners.
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Debut Chicago
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DEBUT CHICAGO
With the opening of Debut Chicago our Brave Ideas™ philosophy transcends borders. The result: Debut Chicago allows us to better serve our clients in the U.S. – and by now you know that we’re all about better results.
Through Debut Chicago, we are better positioned to understand the U.S. marketplace and corporate employee culture. Along with our philosophy, we continue to employ the same successful tactics in Chicago by working smart, keeping nimble and staying well positioned for these changing times. Our Chicago team has the necessary knowledge and experience in U.S. markets to ensure we continue to thrive in providing our U.S. clients with what they desire most – better results.
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Leadership
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Ben Moorsom
President & Executive Creative Director
Debut Group
Ben has always dared to look at things differently.
In the industry, Ben is known as somewhat of a maverick – the guy with the 'out there' ideas and the technical know-how to make them happen – usually first.
Amidst his team, Ben is the leader of Brave Ideas™. The instigator of fresh thinking, challenging all things once thought impossible in corporate business communication and events.
Events are his area of expertise but don’t say the word "theme" to Ben. He hates that word. Ben equates it with cheesy, meaningless, overused phrases like, “The Best Get Better” and “Taking it Higher” – ugh.
Ben approaches every event and initiative as an opportunity to enhance your brand – be it a product brand, meeting brand or the branding of a communication plan – Ben believes it must have meaning and relevance to resonate with your audience. A brand must inspire belief and action to be successful and produce better results. Ben’s slightly obsessive about this.
That’s why Ben founded Debut – to provide an alternative to those seeking more, fresh, different.
And it would seem that Ben was onto something. The success of Debut Group Toronto led to the opening of Debut Chicago, which allows Ben to obsess about brands clear across the continent.
Ben’s thinking has always been brave. How about yours?
Bert Miklosi
Strategy & Development
Debut Chicago
From rebranding a national television and media network to his work in telecom, consumer packaged goods, automotive, finance and pharma, Bert possesses a vast holistic perspective of strategic brand enhancement.
His extensive range of marketing communication experience encompasses business plan development, building and executing brand architecture, leading advertising development, providing strategic thinking and direction in market research, and of course, building brands through event and business communication.
On the outside Bert portrays a sense of calm that inspires confidence in clients and colleagues alike. On the inside the wheels never stop turning – Bert is a thinker who can look at things objectively and strategically. He can assess and approach each situation from entirely new angles, overcoming the ordinary in the pursuit of the extraordinary, ultimately producing better solutions.
As our senior marketing communication expert at Debut Chicago, Bert puts his 20+ years of experience on client, agency and research sides of the business to work for our clients across North America. This includes the expertise he developed in account services at Saatchi & Saatchi and Grey Advertising, where Bert worked with a range of large, blue chip clients adding value and insight to their brand campaigns.
Bert’s passion is applying all of this expertise in understanding just what makes people tick. Combined with our Brave Ideas™, he converts this knowledge into events and communications that enhance and build brands for our clients.
Talk to Bert about opportunities for your better results.
Susan Carter
V.P. Sales & Marketing
Debut Medical Education
Raised by Pharmacists in rural Ontario, it comes as no surprise that Susan went on to become a leader in medical education. Her reputation as a loyal and passionate straight-shooter makes her an invaluable asset to her clients business, as proven by her longstanding relationships with many Key Opinion Leaders (KOL's) across Canada.
After earning her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology and Physiology from the University of Toronto, Susan’s professional career began in the field of clinical research and matured in joining the pharmaceutical industry through a highly successful career in sales and continuing medical education (CME). It was in 2001 that Susan made the move to “the other side” – of the pharmaceutical business, that is.
Susan turned the table and became a supplier and respected partner to the pharmaceutical industry in CME. Her experience in many therapeutic areas proved transferable to the development and implementation of many successful educational programs.
It was this 360º perspective and knowledge of the industry that led Susan to recognize the opportunity of joining Ben in launching Debut Medical Education in 2004. Susan saw the potential synergies in the divisions of Debut as a huge asset in serving her clients better. There’s that word again…
From the start Susan surrounded herself with the like-minded, obsessively organized, highly skilled people who continue to build and grow Debut Medical Education along side her today. The team’s ability to speak the language of 'pharma'; including all things 'regulatory'; is just one of the things that make Debut Medical Education so consistently successful in an ever-changing marketplace.
That and Susan’s simple but firm belief in doing what you say you’re going to do – every time.
Brad McBurney
Principal & Director
Orange Tag
When Brad joined forces with Ben in co-founding Orange Tag in 2004, he knew just what to do in order to build a successful promotional and incentive business. Brad had to hire the best team of people to deliver an unparalleled level of client service. So he hired people with absolutely no previous industry experience…
This unorthodox strategy ensured that Orange Tag would be unlike any existing promotional company.
That’s right. Brad’s extensive experience in promotions from working client side in the financial sector, to existing promotional agencies, and eventually running his own independent shop, gave him his passion and keen insight into “a better way” to partner with both clients and suppliers in delivering brilliantly successful promotions that further enhance a client's brand.
By surrounding himself with intelligent, resourceful multi-taskers, Brad was able to train his team to understand his way of doing business, which included his own version of the golden rule: “Always treat our supplier partners with the same respect and attention that you would our valued clients.” With that, Brad built what is today, a successful thriving business with a team that has been there from the start and an unheard of loyal client base.
You see, once you’ve tried Orange Tag – you’ll find out what you’ve been missing out on. Brad has the clientele, the team and the supplier partner relationships that continually prove he knew exactly what he was doing all those years ago.
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TESTIMONIALS
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TESTIMONIALS
“Debut has, in my mind an ability to strike that difficult balance of executing live or virtual meetings with unique, dramatic and impactful creative while still respecting the budget. For the last 10 years I have appreciated Ben Moorsom and his team's professionalism and innovation as it relates to engaging and motivating large teams of people. Debut has handled small intimate events as well as large conventions with consistent attention to detail. I consider Debut to be at the leading edge of taking novel technology to create first in a lifetime experiences for their audiences and they are at the top of the list of agencies I would consider for my live meeting needs.”
Murdo Gordon
Senior Vice President, USP Market Access
Bristol-Myers Squibb
“When we engage Debut, they provide innovative customer focused ideas and execute them flawlessly. It is an absolute pleasure to work with such a dedicated team of professionals.”
Johanna Mercier
Vice President, Neuroscience Sales
Bristol-Myers Squibb
“The creative and production teams at Debut, in conjunction with our event staff make running a first class program seem easy. Their creative ability helps us bring our story and message to life in a way that we could not do without their professionalism and expertise.”
Jordy Chilcott
Executive Vice President, Head of Dynamic Funds
Goodman and Company, Investment Counsel Ltd
“I have had the pleasure to work directly with Orange Tag for over the last 4 years. The service has been "Second to None".
In particular, some examples of the level of service that allow Orange Tag to stand above any other supplier are the following:
All individuals at Orange Tag treat the GE business as if it was theirs.
They fully manage all aspects of our account which makes them a #1 preferred
supplier.
Based on their knowledge and understanding of how our business operates, lead times required, quality expected, compliance to our brand guidelines and their overall willingness to pull out all the stops to fulfill our needs both planned and unplanned, Orange Tag has built a strong and reliable working relationship with 4 GE businesses, our sales team and most importantly our customers.
Many, many times (far more than should be required) Orange Tag has taken the initiative to complete a request that any other supplier would simply deem "impossible".
Where our businesses cross Orange Tag has and can make decisions when one is not available, has always delivered on all commitments and never produced issues that I must solve. I can safely say, it is my ongoing pleasure to work with Orange Tag.”
Heather Stamenkovic
Marketing Manager, GE
Lighting @ Electrical Distribution
"Over the last two years, we have been able to form a strong partnership with Debut in the delivery of our national sales meeting. Their collaborative, creative approach has enabled Roche to deliver highly innovative, motivational sales meetings that have met or exceeded our business objectives. One of the factors that makes this partnership successful is clearly the quality of the staff at Debut, but also their diligent efforts to get to know us, our culture and our business. I believe this has enabled Debut to develop a creative program that has exceeded the expectations of management and the meeting participants. Furthermore, the production quality has been first rate and the execution of the creative elements and AV support has been seamless. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Debut, and look forward to many future collaborations."
Jim Hall
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Hoffmann-La Roche
“Since 1996, Manulife Financial, Canadian Division, has partnered with Debut Communications on all incentives and large educational meetings. Debut has successfully provided us with all its audio/visual needs, main stage production, creative thinking around themes, production of launch videos and all visuals on the main stage. Debut knows our meeting structure, our meeting team, our attendee’s needs and our senior management. They are a true "team player" and have always given us what we wanted and needed. Each member of the Debut team is willing to bend over backwards for us and each member is extremely knowledgeable. We are continually impressed with their creativity in our production pieces and know that we can always count on everything to run smoothly from a creative, technical and production standpoint if they are involved.”
Kelly Porter, CMP
Strategic Meeting Manager
Manulife Financial
“Hi Brad, I just wanted to share something with you. I've always been a little torn when it comes to Promotional and Incentive companies. I have some common companies that I work with and Orange Tag is one of them. I like each for varied reasons. But...over the past year, I've come to realize how you always go above and beyond. And you have wonderful suggestions and always have my best interest at heart. Because of this, you have made me a believer in Orange Tag. Just thought I should let you know. Thanks for everything, Tania.”
Tania Schmidt
Senior Recognition Consultant, Recognition Services
Distribution Sales Support, Manulife Financial
“You always go above and beyond and you… always have my best interest at heart. Because of this, you have made me a believer….”
“An impressive first class organization! Debut exceeds expectations by sharing creative solutions and delivering a positive, interactive experience to their clients. Keep up the great work!”
Lianne Yee
National Marketing Manager - CSD's
Pepsi Beverages Company
“What I get from Debut is a trusted business partner. Creative, responsive and committed to help us accomplish (surpass) the task at hand!”
Benoit Lemelin, MBA, CRIA
Vice-président corporatif, Ressources humaines
Corporate Vice-President, Human Resources
Pharmascience Inc.